“There’s a growth in football revenue in general and a little bit of that will filter down to our level which will help.

“Along with non-match day revenue they’re the two corner stones.

“I’ve already seen growth in non-match day revenue this season so we’re on the right path.

“There are also other projects which are confidential for the moment that are being worked on as we try to get that 440 down to a black number.”

Mr Adams, managing director of Omega Holidays, admitted part of the reason for the improvement in 2013-2014 was down to televised cup games against Wolves and Newcastle United in a season where Jim Bentley’s side finished 18th in League 2.

He said: “The number is a bit better than expected because of the cup run.

“If you compare it to last year it’s a £350,000 improvement some of which was planned, mainly player wages, which went down by a six-figure sum.

“Some of it was a bit planned and a bit unexpected like the cup run.

“You need that bit of luck now and again but it’s still a loss that has to be covered either by directors, as was the case last season, or by other revenue streams, which is what we’re working on.” Staff and player wages went down from £1,799,949 in 2013 to £1,678,884 in 2014.